“Most of these arrests are related to the sale of Oxycodone in the form of Percocet, which has become the pill of choice here locally for buyers and sellers of illegal drugs,” said Chief Deputy Joe Cline. “These painkillers are particularly dangerous because of their highly addictive effects and their relative affordability and availability on the street.”

Cline added that Oxycodone is the primary drug moving in the “pill pipeline” north from Florida and south from Ohio. They are purchased legally as medical prescriptions and then transported elsewhere for illegal resale.

The arrests announced October 18 bring to 20 the total in Operation Rowan Roundup since it began earlier this month.

Sheriff Carter has pledged to continue the drug sweeps indefinitely to fight what he and other law enforcement officials agree is an epidemic of illegal drug activity.

A special grand jury returned 77 indictments as a result of a five-month investigation by Carter’s staff.